One Couple’s Internet Journey to Find the Perfect Costa Rica Getaway
It was time to plan our next Costa Rica vacation, and my husband and I had a dilemma. While I was dreaming of a romantic getaway and luxury accommodations, my husband wanted a taste of the tropical rainforest and close encounters with wildlife! We decided to search online for Costa Rica luxury eco lodges with first-class service and authentic wildlife observation. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task!
Late at night there’s no chance of finding a reliable travel agent for our trip to Costa Rica, so our search started with Google. We were amazed at the different rainforest lodges, options and qualities. Soon we started to focus on eco lodges with sustainable operations.
We learned how fascinating the National Parks and forests are in that little country. Now the spark for adventure was on! We were both ready for this total immersion in nature. However, I wanted to do it with style and comfort! We decided to make a list of the “must-haves” for a Costa Rica destination, and came up with this list in no particular order:
- Private and secluded location
- Lots of wildlife (my husband is an avid birdwatcher)
- A very romantic setting
- A totally different experience from past vacations
- Get pampered and enjoy our time together
- A real and sustainable eco lodge
Soon the list grew smaller and smaller, with most of the final 10 options located in the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce area. We were not surprised because that very small area is home to over 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity!
Now we were down to three luxury lodges, and checked out TripAdvisor reviews along with other sites. After reading recent articles and reviews from such respected publications as USA Today (“The 10 Best Resorts in Costa Rica for Indulgence, Exploration and Relaxation”) and Conde Nast Traveler magazine (“Best New Hotels to Visit in 2015”), and the impressive guest reviews on TripAdvisor, we knew Playa Cativo Lodge was the place for us!
From the moment we contacted Playa Cativo Lodge to our awesome beachfront welcome, it was clear we made the right decision. The food was superb . . . very well presented with fresh ingredients from their organic farm. My husband added 11 “life birds” to his birdwatching list, and we even took a night expedition with their knowledgeable naturalist guide. Yoga sessions and sunset paddle boarding at Playa Cativo Lodge are definitely a must! We ended each perfect day with a wonderful gourmet meal and bottle of fine
wine as we enjoyed views of the ocean and surrounding rainforest.
There were certainly many other beautiful places that we visited after our four-night stay, but nothing can compare to the excellent service and total experience we enjoyed at Playa Cativo Lodge!